VARIMA-TE-TAKERE is the Polynesian Goddess of the beginning, mother of the Gods and humans. In her home in the lowest levels of Avaiki, the underworld, she pulled the sky God Vatea from her right side. From her left side she pulled the earth goddess Papa, and together Vatea and Papa created the world. Varima-te-Takere's name means "the woman of the very beginning", and is also seen as VARIMA or VARI.